Warning of delays to schools reopening in England due to Covid testing

Warning of delays to schools reopening in England due to Covid testing Pupils’ return to schools in England in September is set to be delayed again due to Covid-19 testing.

The first week of the autumn term is due to be spent carrying out tests for coronavirus, with all secondary school pupils required to take two tests on returning to classrooms next month. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also: 

• University of Northampton says it is not mandatory for students to be double jabbed before term begins but it is ‘encouraging’ vaccine uptake Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• More drop-in vaccine clinics for 16 and 17-year-olds confirmed across Northamptonshire Northamptonshire Telegraph
• How to get a Covid antibody test as new UK programme launches this week Northamptonshire Telegraph

First ever Wellingborough health and wellbeing festival promises free feel-good fun

First ever Wellingborough health and wellbeing festival promises free feel-good fun The first ever Wellingborough health and wellbeing festival, a week-long celebration of health and wellbeing, from September 6 to September 12 will see North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) partner with local wellness experts, sports clubs and organisations. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

Young people say their prospects are dwindling and wellbeing suffering in the wake of the pandemic

Young people say their prospects are dwindling and wellbeing suffering in the wake of the pandemic A survey of young people conducted by The Health Foundation has revealed the extent to which young people feel their employment prospects and mental health have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Report on medical devices

Report on medical devices The RHC is an independent expert committee that identifies the implications of technological innovation, and provides government with impartial, expert advice on the regulatory reform required to support its rapid and safe introduction. This report makes recommendations on how the UK can encourage international investment, innovation and improve safety in the medical devices area through regulatory and non-regulatory changes. Regulatory Horizons Council

• Report
• Government response

Interim guidance on the functions and governance of the integrated care board

Interim guidance on the functions and governance of the integrated care board This interim guidance covers the expected governance requirements for integrated care boards as outlined in the Health and Care Bill and the Integrated care systems design framework. NHS England and NHS Improvement 

UK signs deal with Pfizer/BioNTech for 35 million vaccines

UK signs deal with Pfizer/BioNTech for 35 million vaccines The UK has agreed a contract for 35 million more doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, to be delivered from the second half of next year.

The government, through the Vaccine Taskforce, is putting in place preparations to future-proof the country from the threat of COVID-19 and its variants through safe and effective vaccines, as the UK’s world-renowned vaccination programme continues to protect the population. Department of Health and Social Care 

Covid returns to top 10 causes of death

Covid returns to top 10 causes of death Covid-19 was the ninth biggest cause of death in England in July, having been the 26th most common cause in June.

In Wales it was the 22nd leading cause of death, having been too low to rank the previous month.

The total number of people dying rose back above the average levels for 2015 to 2019 in July. BBC News

See also: 

• UK orders 35 million more Pfizer vaccine doses BBC News
• Long Covid sufferer: Brushing my hair can be 'emotionally traumatising' BBC News
• Covid England: 45% of Delta hospital patients only test positive AFTER admission The Daily Mail
• UK's daily Covid infections increase by 12% in a week to 31,914 and deaths jump by 54% to 40 The Daily Mail
• Up to 200 anti-vaxxers storm ITN's London HQ The Daily Mail
• Booster shot of Pfizer's vaccine slashes the risk of Covid infection FOURFOLD in over-60s The Daily Mail
• Boardmasters: Nearly 5,000 Covid cases may be linked to Cornwall festival The Daily Telegraph
• Unvaccinated NHS staff will be barred from entering care homes The Independent

Social care charges: Disabled and vulnerable adults hit by steep rises

Social care charges: Disabled and vulnerable adults hit by steep rises Disabled and vulnerable adults in England are being hit by a steep rise in the amount they have to pay towards their care, BBC News research reveals.

Some adults with learning disabilities are paying thousands of pounds extra a year, with six councils doubling the amount of money collected in charges.

In half of 83 areas that responded to a BBC request, bills across all users have risen at least 10% over two years.

Directors of council care services blame years of government funding cuts. 

Can remote consultations with a doctor be improved?

Can remote consultations with a doctor be improved? Before the pandemic, billboards in London advertised a doctor-in-your-pocket service. Targeted at busy commuters, it consisted of a smartphone app and a promise of a video link-up to a real doctor within 45 minutes. What’s not to like?

Plenty. The pop-up video doc may be fine, on this occasion, for busy accountant Adesh Patel, who wants an antibiotic in the post for his septic finger. Indeed, patients like him may not even need a video call, they can explain their symptoms to a doctor by phone. The video link was, arguably, a commercial gimmick to lure the worried well. The Independent 

NHS pharmacies in England to offer over-40s heart checkups

NHS pharmacies in England to offer over-40s heart checkups High street pharmacies are to start offering heart health checkups in a move that could save thousands of lives every year.

From October, every NHS pharmacy in England will be able to provide blood pressure checks to people aged 40 and over. The deal is part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework, a deal between NHS England, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the Department of Health and Social Care. The Guardian

Rise in number of GP patients per practice in Northamptonshire

Rise in number of GP patients per practice in Northamptonshire The average number of GP patients at practices in Northamptonshire is rising, figures show.

The British Medical Association said a rapid expansion of the GP workforce across England is needed, as the number of patients per practice hit a new national record. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Checking the NHS’s reality

Checking the NHS’s reality Sally Gainsbury takes a forensic look at the current NHS finances – showing how trusts in England are on course to spend almost £5 billion more in the next financial year than was anticipated when funding levels were set. She argues that a heavy dose of realism is needed ahead of the new spending settlement for the health service. Nuffield Trust 

Pride in the NHS Week

Pride in the NHS Week The first ever national Pride in the NHS Week and NHS Virtual Pride finale will take place within an always-on, virtual festival arena, open to all from 6th-10th Sept. NHS England 

Young COVID patients share stories to urge others to get jabbed

Young COVID patients share stories to urge others to get jabbed Young coronavirus (COVID-19) patients have told their stories of battling the virus and suffering long-term debilitating effects as part of a new film encouraging people to get their vaccines. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Government launches UK-wide antibody surveillance programme Department of Health and Social Care
• 82 testing providers to be issued warnings over misleading prices Department of Health and Social Care
• Government data shows mass events can take place safely but fans urged to remain cautious in crowds and get vaccinated Department of Health and Social Care
• Research: COVID-19 variants: genomically confirmed case numbers Public Health England

Covid cases: This summer compared with last

Covid cases: This summer compared with last This time last year, the UK was slowly taking its first small steps into what would become the second wave of Covid-19.

That led to tighter local restrictions and, ultimately, lockdowns across all the nations, which didn't start to unravel until late spring 2021.

Case numbers now are more than 30 times higher than at the same point last year and are showing signs of climbing again.

So what does this all mean and where might we be heading? BBC News

See also:

• Covid-antibody therapy approved in UK BBC News
• Coronavirus: Young people warn of long Covid amid jab drive BBC News
• Covid: Antibody tests offered to public for first time BBC News
• Why was it so hard to get my patient treatment for long Covid? The Daily Mail
• Britain and US 'could be facing a similar crisis to Israel in the coming weeks or months' The Daily Mail
• Chris Whitty warns of 'very sick' young patients in hospital with Covid The Daily Mail
• Public still avoiding face-to-face contact despite lifting of restrictions The Daily Telegraph
• Nine in 10 in UK still wearing masks despite end of Covid controls The Guardian
• 9,000 Covid cases linked to Euro 2020 games in mass events scheme The Guardian
• Classrooms in England to get air quality monitors to help combat Covid The Guardian
• England’s Covid R number rises to between 0.9 and 1.2 The Independent

Army supporting ambulance services in England

Army supporting ambulance services in England Nearly 100 members of the Army have been brought in to help four ambulance trusts in England look after patients.

High demand and staffing shortages mean they are being used to work alongside NHS staff.

Ambulance services in the South Central, South West, North East and East areas of England are being supported by the military. BBC News 

NHS data grab on hold as millions opt out

NHS data grab on hold as millions opt out A plan to share GP data was set to launch in September, but an online summer campaign has prompted widespread dissent.

More than a million people opted out of NHS data-sharing in one month in a huge backlash against government plans to make patient data available to private companies, the Observer can reveal.

The General Practice Data for Planning and Research scheme is now on hold with no new date for implementation, and NHS Digital has made a series of concessions to campaigners to try to salvage it.

GPs facing torrent of abuse and violence as patient frustration boils over

GPs facing torrent of abuse and violence as patient frustration boils over Doctors and their staff working in GP surgeries across England are reporting a torrent of abuse from patients, with some receiving hate mail while others have been left shaking and in tears by physical and verbal attacks.

Some family doctors have told The Independent they fear coming to work, and have seen staff quit over the threats they are receiving almost daily.

Cystic fibrosis patients in England hail ‘miracle treatment’ one year after becoming available on NHS

Cystic fibrosis patients in England hail ‘miracle treatment’ one year after becoming available on NHS Thousands of cystic fibrosis patients in England have had their health drastically improved by a “miracle” treatment – even allowing one to give birth to a baby since the NHS made it available exactly one year ago today. iNews

Corby drop-in vaccine centre low on stock after 16 and 17-year-olds grab a jab

Corby drop-in vaccine centre low on stock after 16 and 17-year-olds grab a jab Corby's drop-in vaccine sessions for 16 and 17-year-olds have proved so popular that the pharmacy offering the service cannot offer the ‘grab a jab’ unless booked. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

Drop in number of homeless people using Northamptonshire trust's mental health services during Covid

Drop in number of homeless people using Northamptonshire trust's mental health services during Covid The number of homeless people using Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) mental health services dropped during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic.

But a charity boss believes this does not suggest there has been a decrease in need for such support and many factors could have affected the figures. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Untapped? Understanding the mental health clinical support workforce

Untapped? Understanding the mental health clinical support workforce NHS clinical support staff are particularly important to mental health services and while they usually deliver the bulk of hands-on care, they are often undervalued. This report examines the profile of mental health clinical support staff and discusses how issues around recruitment and retention can be improved. Nuffield Trust

See also:

• Tapping into the potential: putting mental health clinical support staff in the spotlight Nuffield Trust

Inclusive language in health and care: why the words we use matter

Inclusive language in health and care: why the words we use matter As the forthcoming Health and Care Bill ushers in new measures to promote and enable collaboration in health and care, it brings with it a slew of new terminology and acronyms. While we integrate this new language into daily usage, we must think critically about how and why we choose specific terms over others. The King's Fund

Atlas of variation in risk factors and healthcare for vision in England

Atlas of variation in risk factors and healthcare for vision in England This atlas brings together 32 indicators across the whole vision pathway from describing populations at risk of poor eye health, through screening to healthcare services, and eye health outcomes. The indicators are drawn from the best available population level data sources, and the atlas addresses a long recognised gap in regular review and reporting of eye health data arising from routine NHS care. Public Health England

Better Care Fund increased to support health and care integration

Better Care Fund increased to support health and care integration More than £6.9 billion has been committed to continue driving integration between health and social care and support local recovery from the pandemic. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Policy paper: Better Care Fund policy framework: 2021 to 2022 Department of Health and Social Care

NHS Covid app 'pings' fall after changes

NHS Covid app 'pings' fall after changes The number of alerts sent by the NHS COVID-19 app in England and Wales has fallen to its lowest number since the week ending 23 June.

A total of 261,453 alerts were sent in the week to August 11, down 18% on the previous week.

The figures cover the first full week since changes were made to the app so that it notified fewer close contacts. BBC News

See also:

• NHS invites all remaining 16 and 17 year olds for Covid jabs The Daily Mail
• Vaccinating all over-12s is NOT off the cards, Government adviser says The Daily Mail
• Health Secretary Sajid Javid insists Covid booster vaccine drive WILL go ahead in September The Daily Mail
• UK vaccine watchdog expert sceptical about booster jabs for all adults The Guardian
• UK Covid booster jabs highly unlikely to begin soon, JCVI sources say The Guardian
• English schools told to delay seeking help with small Covid outbreaks The Guardian
• Sajid Javid ‘confident’ Covid booster jabs will start in September The Independent

Lockdown screen time sees rise in short-sightedness

Lockdown screen time sees rise in short-sightedness Optometrists across the country say they are diagnosing higher numbers of children with short-sightedness (myopia) since the start of the pandemic.

They put this down to less time spent outside due to Covid restrictions, more time spent on screens, and a drop-off in numbers of eye tests carried out during the pandemic.

The College of Optometrists is calling for parents to get kids playing outside for two hours a day, this is proven to prevent or stop the development of myopia; and to take their children for eye tests. BBC News 

Mental health crisis ends in cells for too many, snapshot suggests

Mental health crisis ends in cells for too many, snapshot suggests Up to 4,500 people in mental health crisis were unlawfully held in police custody in England and Wales in a year, previously unpublished data suggests.

It happened because of a lack of hospital beds and police officers say the problem persists in some areas.

Ministers say they are clear "police cells should, in general, not be used as places of safety". BBC News 

End-of-life care should not simply be about prolonging a painful death

End-of-life care should not simply be about prolonging a painful death | Polly Toynbee We must focus on easing the exit rather than delaying the inevitable at huge expense

Of all life’s seven ages, which do people value most? Surely no one puts their final few months at the top, when all that’s left is the hope of avoiding departure through a torture chamber. Yet the UK spends most on the end of life, when there’s no future left. The Guardian

NHS England has no plans for a national inhaler recycling scheme despite net zero ambitions

NHS England has no plans for a national inhaler recycling scheme despite net zero ambitions NHS England and NHS Improvement does not currently have plans for an inhaler recycling scheme but encourages the use of local and manufacturer-led inhaler disposal schemes across the NHS. The Pharmaceutical Journal

Five out of six Kettering neighbourhoods now have Covid case-rates over 400

Five out of six Kettering neighbourhoods now have Covid case-rates over 400 Kettering has been identified as a Covid-19 hotspot after a rise in case rates across the town.

Analysts use a formula to compare how the virus is spreading in different areas, by splitting towns into small areas, dividing the number of cases in each area by the population and multiplying by 100,000.

Of the six neighbourhoods in Kettering, five had case rates in excess of 400 per 100,000 people in the week to August 13. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Ten Northampton neighbourhoods with Covid case rates of over 400 Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Fewer than three-quarters people at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust discover bowel cancer diagnosis within four weeks

Fewer than three-quarters people at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust discover bowel cancer diagnosis within four weeks Fewer than three-quarters people urgently referred to Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust with suspected bowel cancer receive a diagnosis or an all-clear within four weeks, figures reveal. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

The full health and care data strategy must address its shortcomings

The full health and care data strategy must address its shortcomings On 22 June, NHSX published their draft data strategy for health and social care. This strategy could not have come at a more crucial time. Population health was already suffering before the pandemic, through stalled improvements in life expectancy and widening health inequalities. Now the NHS faces renewed and unprecedented pressure, with a growing backlog of care (4 million fewer people completed elective care in 2020 than in 2019), and the long-term health burden of the pandemic still unknown. The Health Foundation 

A combined health and care levy could create as many problems as it solves

A combined health and care levy could create as many problems as it solves Just before Parliament broke for its summer recess, rumours swirled that a new £10 billion-a-year health and care levy would be introduced this autumn. Funded through an increase in National Insurance contributions, the funds from the levy would initially focus on tackling the growing backlog for NHS care, before shifting towards supporting social care services in the medium to long term. But alongside issues of equity, there are two problems that mean this levy could be more trouble than it's worth. The King's Fund 

Pastoral support and induction for international recruits

Pastoral support and induction for international recruits This case study looks at what University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has done to effectively induct new overseas nurses over recent months. NHS Employers

Right time, right place: urgent community-based care for older people

Right time, right place: urgent community-based care for older people This document explores emerging community models for responding to an older person’s urgent care needs without them being admitted to hospital. It identifies commonalities and connections between different community responses, offering a brief explanation of the main models, such as hospital at home and urgent community response. There is a lack of consensus around definitions of services and provision in different parts of the country and the document sets out some principles that should underpin person-centred, timely care for older people. British Geriatrics Society 

A system approach to the demand crunch

A system approach to the demand crunch This briefing outlines NHS leaders' views on what must be done to ensure the NHS does not become overwhelmed. It outlines what we can learn now in order to plan well as a system for the winter, and highlights ten areas of focus for local systems. NHS Confederation 

Record number of children and young people waiting for eating disorder treatment, as soaring demand overwhelms services

Record number of children and young people waiting for eating disorder treatment, as soaring demand overwhelms services The number of under-19s waiting for eating disorder treatment has reached record levels as services are struggling to provide timely treatment in the face of overwhelming demand, says the Royal College of Psychiatrists. 

New NHS data analysed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists shows that while the number of those waiting for urgent and routine treatment has reached record levels during the pandemic, more children and young people are being treated than ever before.

See also:

• Record number of children on NHS waiting lists for eating disorder treatment amid Covid pandemic The Daily Mail
• Record number of young people wait for eating disorder treatment in England The Guardian
• Record numbers of children with eating disorders left waiting for help The Independent

85,000 people with osteoporosis in England are missing out on the drug treatments they need

 85,000 people with osteoporosis in England are missing out on the drug treatments they need New figures released by the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) show the scale of the ‘postcode lottery’ facing osteoporosis patients across the country, with many not getting the expert care they need.

The key to timely diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis is a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) – the British-born success story that has become the world standard. An FLS systematically identifies, assesses and treats anyone who sustains a fracture after age 50.

Yet ironically, FLS coverage in the UK is weak, and today’s new figures reveal the full extent of the postcode lottery.

See also: 

• Around 85,000 Britons are missing out on therapy, charity warns The Daily Mail

Covid vaccines still effective against Delta variant

Covid vaccines still effective against Delta variant Having two doses of Covid vaccine remains the best way to protect against the Delta variant, first identified in India and now dominant in the UK.

The Oxford-AstraZeneca jab, though initially less effective, offers the same high protection as the Pfizer-BioNTech after four to five months, the largest study of its kind suggests. BBC News

See also: 

• Impact of Delta on viral burden and vaccine effectiveness against new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the UK (open access) Nuffield Department of Medicine
• Covid vaccine: US plans to offer booster Covid jabs in September BBC News
• UK's Covid cases rise again with 33,904 positive tests, marking a 15% week-on-week jump The Daily Mail
• Double-jabbed who catch Delta variant are just as likely to spread Covid as the unvaccinated The Daily Mail
• Covid hospital patient numbers hit five-month high in England The Independent
• NHS worker who died with Covid was refused shielding status despite history of respiratory problems ITV News

Covid-vaccine scientists begin plague-jab trial

Covid-vaccine scientists begin plague-jab trial UK scientists behind the AstraZeneca Covid jab have given the first trial volunteers a new plague vaccine.

One of them, Larissa, 26, hopes she can help save lives by volunteering for the research, at the University of Oxford, where she studies genetics.

The phase-one trial will see at least 40 healthy 18- to 55-year-olds test the vaccine, which uses the same technology as the coronavirus jab. BBC News

Aspirin may help treat aggressive breast cancer

Aspirin may help treat aggressive breast cancer Aspirin may help fight aggressive breast cancer by making hard-to-treat tumours more responsive to anti-cancer drugs, doctors say.

A team at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust, in Manchester, are beginning a trial with triple-negative breast-cancer patients.

They suspect it is aspirin's anti-inflammatory properties rather than its analgesic effect that gives the boost. BBC News 

A potential first step forward’: Moderna to launch human trials for new HIV vaccines

A potential first step forward’: Moderna to launch human trials for new HIV vaccines Human trials for two new HIV vaccines developed by US biotech company Moderna are set to be launched on Thursday – a moment that has been described as a “potential first step forward” in protecting people against the deadly virus. The Independent 

Hundreds of children and teenagers treated by Northamptonshire Healthcare Trust as eating disorders rise

Hundreds of children and teenagers treated by Northamptonshire Healthcare Trust as eating disorders rise NHS England data shows 239 children and young people began treatment for eating disorders at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust between July 2020 and June 2021. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Thousands of people in Northamptonshire have an STI, according to new research

Thousands of people in Northamptonshire have an STI, according to new research New research has revealed that thousands of people in Northamptonshire currently have a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

A new interactive STI calculator created by experts at FROM MARS - a men's healthcare firm - reveals how likely you are to come into contact with an STI in Northamptonshire, across the East Midlands and also the rest of the country. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Stretched NHS staff warn "A&E is incredibly busy today" at Northampton General Hospital

Stretched NHS staff warn "A&E is incredibly busy today" at Northampton General Hospital Stretched NHS staff at Northampton General Hospital are begging people to stay away from its emergency department unless absolutely necessary.

Non-emergency cases are likely to be turned away and re-directed to online or phone triage services provided by the NHS. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Year of the nurse and the midwife

Year of the nurse and the midwife The Queen’s Nursing Institute has launched a new animated film to celebrate the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

The QNI’s animation – the first ever created by the charity – has spent many months in planning and development. It celebrates the expertise of nurses, their critical role in supporting the health and wellbeing of their local communities and the breadth of work that they undertake in healthcare and wider society in the UK. 

The health impacts of early childhood interventions: evidence from Sure Start

The health impacts of early childhood interventions: evidence from Sure Start The research in a working paper and briefing note finds that one of England’s biggest early years programmes, Sure Start, delivered long-lasting health benefits for children through their teenage years. Taken together, the savings from reduced hospitalisations up to age 15 offset around 31- per cent of spending on the programme. Institute for Fiscal Studies 

Cost of NHS travel tests to be reduced and private provider list reviewed

Cost of NHS travel tests to be reduced and private provider list reviewed The cost of NHS Test and Trace tests for international arrivals will now be reduced from £88 to £68 for one test and private testing providers will be reviewed. Department of Health and Social Care

Covid: 'I'm pregnant, should I have the vaccine?'

Covid: 'I'm pregnant, should I have the vaccine?' Vaccine uptake by pregnant women is causing concern among doctors and midwives, as 98% of pregnant women in hospital with Covid-19 are unvaccinated, according to NHS England.

BBC London reporter Victoria Cook is pregnant and has reservations about getting the Covid vaccination.

She met other expectant mums who say mixed messaging from doctors and politicians has left them feeling unsure about how best to protect their babies.

Victoria also spoke to experts who told her why pregnant women are now being encouraged to have the jab. BBC News

See also: 

• Pregnant women are less likely to experience side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine The Daily Mail
• Britain records 170 Covid fatalities in deadliest daily toll since MARCH The Daily Mail
• GlaxoSmithKline announces good lab results for new Covid vaccine The Daily Mail
• No evidence that Covid vaccines increase risk of miscarriage, says UK medicines regulator The Independent
• G7 nations will have stockpiled a billion spare Covid vaccine doses by end of 2021, analysis shows The Independent

Outrage at chronic fatigue syndrome advice update pause

Outrage at chronic fatigue syndrome advice update pause A health watchdog has paused a final update to ME treatment guidance just hours before planned publication due to disagreement on its contents - a move that has angered some charities.

NICE says it needs more conversations with patient groups and professionals so that the advice is supported.

There are strong and varied views on how the illness should be best managed. BBC News 

 

'NHS abandoned me after I tried to kill myself'

'NHS abandoned me after I tried to kill myself' A woman who tried to take her own life after suffering post-natal depression says she was abandoned by NHS mental health services during the pandemic.

Katie Yelland, 30, relied on family support to get her through the first lockdown after services were paused.

It comes as monthly mental health referrals across the UK hit their highest point in two years. BBC News 

Poorer areas have fewer GPs as national shortage hits the least healthy more

Poorer areas have fewer GPs as national shortage hits the least healthy more People in the poorest areas of England are less likely to get appointments when they need them because of a shortage of GPs where they live – the result is a deepening gulf in health inequalities between rich and poor.

One doctor with 15 years experience in the NHS told The Independent the situation was akin to a “humanitarian disaster and national emergency” and said ministers must act to tackle the problem. The Independent

See also: 

• Inequalities in the distribution of the general practice workforce in England: a practice-level longitudinal analysis (open access) BJGP Open

Almost 124,000 patients waiting more than three months for NHS tests in England

Almost 124,000 patients waiting more than three months for NHS tests in England NHS patients are waiting more than three months for tests including MRIs, colonoscopies and heart scans, with overall waiting lists doubling in some parts of England.

The number of people waiting more than three months for tests was 22 times that in 2019 as the health system continues to tackle the Covid pandemic backlog. Almost 124,000 people were kept waiting more than three months in 2021, compared with 5,675 in 2019. It is a slight fall from the May 2021 figure, which stood at just over 127,000. The Guardian 

Scrapping free over-60s prescriptions would be 'kick in the teeth' for older people, charity warns

Scrapping free over-60s prescriptions would be 'kick in the teeth' for older people, charity warns Age UK says 2.4million more Britons would have to pay the £9.35 charge if ministers press ahead with plans to raise the qualifying age from 60 to 66. 

It fears many will be unable to afford the cost, so will forgo their drugs and become more ill – placing a bigger burden on the health service.  The Daily Mail

Covid cases multiply in Northampton neighbourhoods with lowest vaccine uptake

Covid cases multiply in Northampton neighbourhoods with lowest vaccine uptake Covid cases in an area of Northampton with the lowest vaccine uptake have multiplied by more than TEN TIMES in less than six weeks.

The town centre and Semilong neighbourhood, which also includes part of St James, saw just four positive tests in the week to June 30 at a rate of 40.5 per 100,000 people. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Rise in the number of patients at Northampton General Hospital Trust waiting for treatment

Rise in the number of patients at Northampton General Hospital Trust waiting for treatment More patients were waiting for routine treatment at Northampton General Hospital Trust in June, figures show.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid warned that waiting lists across England will keep rising, despite the number of patients waiting for treatment reaching a new national record. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Coroner urges action after KGH patient dies of rare PEG allergy

Coroner urges action after KGH patient dies of rare PEG allergy A coroner has asked the authorities to take action to prevent more deaths after a patient admitted to Kettering General Hospital following a heart attack died of a rare allergic reaction to equipment used in a procedure designed to save his life. Northamptonshire Telegraph

HSIB’s maternity programme: a year in review

HSIB’s maternity programme: a year in review Our latest report charts the progress of our maternity investigation programme over the last year and the influence of our work at a local and national level.

The review covers everything from operational performance to planned developments in the coming year (2021/22.) There are key sections on family and NHS staff engagement – focusing on their experiences of working with us including how we gather their feedback and sharing direct quotes. The review also sets out how HSIB fits into the wider maternity picture, explaining the way we work with other organisations and the contributions we have made to high-profile initiatives, projects, inquiries and reports. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

See also: 

• Hundreds of maternity incidents in one year prompt 1500 safety instructions to hospitals The Independent

Resident-to-resident harm in care homes and other residential settings: a scoping review

Resident-to-resident harm in care homes and other residential settings: a scoping review This review explores resident-to-resident harm in care homes, also referred to as resident-to-resident abuse. The review considers: definitions and types of resident-to-resident abuse; prevalence of resident-to-resident abuse; risk factors for resident-to-resident abuse; prevention of and interventions for resident-to-resident abuse; research gaps; and potential case studies. Free registration is required to access this document. Social Care Institute for Excellence

The role of the ambulance sector in transforming services and coping with the long-term impact of Covid-19

The role of the ambulance sector in transforming services and coping with the long-term impact of Covid-19 This report, produced together with the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), says ambulance services should play a pivotal role in helping the NHS pull through the pandemic, bear down on the care backlog and transform services for patients. NHS Providers 

Covid public inquiry will be pushed back beyond spring 2022, families fear

Covid public inquiry will be pushed back beyond spring 2022, families fear Campaigners who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus fear the start of the public inquiry into the government’s handling of the Covid crisis will be pushed beyond the promised date of spring 2020.

Lawyers representing Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group recently met with the Cabinet Office last month to discuss the inquiry’s potential scope – but were told work has not yet begun on the basic terms of reference. The Independent

See also: 

• Britain's daily Covid cases jump by 13% in a week to 28,438 The Daily Mail
• Blood test can determine whether a patient will suffer from 'long Covid' The Daily Mail
• Covid app pinged close contacts in prior five days not two, says source The Guardian
• Anti-vaxxers offered fake NHS Covid-19 passes and vaccine cards on Telegram iNews

UK blood supplies to be used to make life-saving drug

UK blood supplies to be used to make life-saving drug Plasma from blood donations in England will be used to make a vital medicine, following a rule change to reduce reliance on imported stocks.

Each year about 17,000 people need immunoglobulin treatment and, until recently, there was a ban on using plasma from UK  donors to safeguard against vCJD or "mad cow disease".

Officials say this precaution is no longer necessary. BBC News 

Warning over potential roof collapses at NHS England hospitals

Warning over potential roof collapses at NHS England hospitals NHS England hospitals have sounded the alarm over materials used in roofs that reached the end of their lifespan more than a decade ago, with one hospital forced to restrict the use of some operating theatres to patients under 120kg (19st).

Several hospitals are warning of the potential for roof collapses due to structural weaknesses in the reinforced concrete planks used in their construction between the 1960s and 1980s, which have a 30-year lifespan. The Guardian

See also: 

• NHS bosses have a 'mass casualty plan' in case crumbling hospitals COLLAPSE The Daily Mail

NHS doctors know too well how waiting times damage all aspects of patient care

NHS doctors know too well how waiting times damage all aspects of patient care | Peter Endicott As a junior doctor, I’ve seen the serious knock-on effects of the backlog of 5.5 million people waiting for care in England.

It’s embarrassing to tell a patient being discharged from hospital that they can’t be seen for months. To assure them you will check with the clinic booking team, when you know there is no capacity. It’s demoralising to work long hours in A&E only to have more people waiting for treatment than when you started your shift. To know so much of your work in the emergency room would be unnecessary if outpatient services were not stretched beyond their limits. The Guardian 

The hi-tech hospitals transforming patient care

The hi-tech hospitals transforming patient care Forty new hospitals, greater use of cutting-edge technology and a digital revolution that will benefit NHS staff and patients.

That’s what is being promised under the Government’s Health Infrastructure Plan, a £3.7 billion project unveiled at the end of 2020 to drag Britain’s crumbling hospital network into the 21st century. The Daily Mail

No more pingdemic from TODAY for 450,000 double-jabbed Northamptonshire adults

No more pingdemic from TODAY for 450,000 double-jabbed Northamptonshire adults The latest step on the roadmap out of lockdown means anybody who has had two Covid-19 jabs will not be legally required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive.

Latest NHS England figures showed more than 4,000 people county-wide were 'pinged' by NHS Test and Trace in the week up to August 4. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Self-isolation rules change from today: this is what you need to know Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• More than 150 fewer people "pinged" by Covid app in Northampton  Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Rise in visits to A&E at Northampton General Hospital

Rise in visits to A&E at Northampton General Hospital More patients visited A&E at Northampton General Hospital last month, with demand rising above the levels seen over the same period last year.

NHS England figures show 11,935 patients visited A&E at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust in July. Northampton Chronicle and Echo 

Northampton care leaver helps tackle period poverty with new project

Northampton care leaver helps tackle period poverty with new project A care leaver who has "first-hand" experience of period poverty has helped launch a project handing out free sanitary products.

Louise, from Northampton, was inspired to set up the Jeevan Project that gives away products to young women leaving care in the town. BBC Northampton 

Chart of the week: How has the risk of acquiring Covid-19 in hospital changed in the last year?

Chart of the week: How has the risk of acquiring Covid-19 in hospital changed in the last year? Each week we present analysis of data in chart form to illustrate some key issues and invite discussion. Back in November, Sarah Scobie revealed the rise in the proportion of patients in hospital who had acquired Covid-19 after being admitted. This week she revisits the topic to see if things have changed since, and debates the possible reasons why. Nuffield Trust 

NHS chief urges people to come forward for life saving cancer checks ahead of new campaign

NHS chief urges people to come forward for life saving cancer checks ahead of new campaign The new head of the NHS in England has today encouraged people with potential cancer symptoms to come forward for lifesaving checks.

Ahead of a new campaign launching next week, NHS England chief executive, Amanda Pritchard said that the NHS is open and ready to treat people, and urged anyone with potential cancer symptoms to come forward.

Research shows that three in five people (60%) are concerned about burdening the NHS, with half (49%) saying they would delay seeking medical advice compared to before the pandemic. NHS England 

Model of oral healthcare for asylum seekers and refugees: how to support access to NHS dentists

Model of oral healthcare for asylum seekers and refugees: how to support access to NHS dentists Asylum seekers and refugees can face barriers when accessing NHS dentists. This model of care details the processes, rights and entitlements to care and includes supporting information and links to forms and guidance. It is designed for local authorities, support services and health professionals who work with asylum seekers and refugees. Public Health England 

All young people aged 16 and 17 in England to be offered vaccine by next week

All young people aged 16 and 17 in England to be offered vaccine by next week All young people aged 16 to 17 in England are to be offered a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Monday 23 August to give them protection before returning to school. Department of Health and Social Care 

Covid: Self-isolation ends for double-jabbed and under-18s

Covid: Self-isolation ends for double-jabbed and under-18s People in England and Northern Ireland who have had two Covid vaccine doses will no longer have to isolate if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.

Instead of having to quarantine for 10 days, they are now advised to take a PCR test - but this is not compulsory.

They are also advised to wear a face covering in enclosed spaces and to limit contact with others, especially the clinically vulnerable. BBC News

See also:

• Covid: 16 and 17-year-olds in England to be offered jab by 23 August BBC News
• Covid: Carrie Johnson urges pregnant women to get vaccinated BBC News
• Covid vaccine: Parents upset at jabs wait for high-risk children BBC News
• Covid: Record your cough to help improve detection, says government BBC News
• New Covid variants ‘will set us back a year’, experts warn UK government The Guardian
• Is long Covid real? And if so, could it be a bigger public-health problem than excess deaths from Covid-19 The Independent
• Covid: People pinged by NHS app 'four times more likely' to have coronavirus, study finds ITV News

Crumbling NHS hospital assessed corporate manslaughter risk

Crumbling NHS hospital assessed corporate manslaughter risk An NHS hospital commissioned a report into the risk of corporate manslaughter charges should a fatal roof collapse occur, leaked documents reveal.

West Suffolk Hospital is spending tens of millions of pounds making dangerous reinforced concrete planks in its main building safe.

Hinchingbrooke Hospital, which is of similar design, has set a weight limit on patients at two of its theatres. BBC News

NHS summer crisis: Hospital suspends all inpatient surgery for three weeks over bed shortages

NHS summer crisis: Hospital suspends all inpatient surgery for three weeks over bed shortages All routine inpatient surgery at a hospital in Yorkshire is to be suspended from Monday to help the hospital trust cope with overcrowding in A&E caused by a lack of beds.

Bosses at the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust told staff in an email, shared with The Independent, that they had been forced to make the decision because of the lack of beds for waiting patients.

‘I can’t work’: the mothers left to fight alone for their children’s mental health care

‘I can’t work’: the mothers left to fight alone for their children’s mental health care Three parents forced to give up their lives and careers to get help for their severely ill children tell their stories. The Guardian

Councils seek funds to fight rise in children’s type 2 diabetes in England and Wales

Councils seek funds to fight rise in children’s type 2 diabetes in England and Wales Councils are calling for more support to meet the government’s target of halving childhood obesity after recording an “extremely worrying” 60% increase in young people with type 2 diabetes in paediatric units over five years in England and Wales.

The Local Government Association (LGA) is urging ministers to step up investment in councils’ public health budgets in the upcoming spending review to fund efforts to reduce childhood obesity, which is understood to be the main cause of the increase in type 2 diabetes. The Guardian

See also: 

• Obesity crisis: Treatment for Type 2 diabetes in children up by nearly 60 per cent in five years Local Government Association

Nearly one million people in England became addicted to alcohol during the pandemic

Nearly one million people in England became addicted to alcohol during the pandemic Nearly one million people in England became addicted to alcohol as a result of Covid lockdowns, official data suggests.

Government polling before the pandemic estimated 1.5million adults drank at least 50 units every week — the equivalent of three pints or nearly a bottle of wine every night.

But this jumped to just shy of 2.5million this summer, which experts have blamed on the endless cycle of virus-controlling restrictions. The Daily Mail 

Feedburner email subscriptions coming to an end...

We currently use Feedburner to bring you email subscriptions to our health news service. Unfortunately Google has decided to withdraw this functionality from Feedburner, meaning we will not be able to send you daily emails of health news stories.

We are currently looking for alternatives to Feedburner to continue to provide the service by email.

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In the mean time we wanted to warn you as Google have not said when this service will come to an end and you may stop receiving emails from us abruptly.

Regards

The Library Team

Northamptonshire neighbourhoods turning down Covid jabs as seven more die with virus in NGH and KGH

Northamptonshire neighbourhoods turning down Covid jabs as seven more die with virus in NGH and KGH Infection control teams confirm "significant number" .of virus patients have not been vaccinated.

Two Northamptonshire neighbourhoods are in the bottom ten out of more than 570 in the East Midlands with the lowest vaccine take-up. Northamptonshire Telegraph 

Kettering General Hospital aims to double army of volunteers

Kettering General Hospital aims to double army of volunteers Kettering General Hospital aims to double its volunteer workforce and develop a wide range of exciting new posts for people of all ages over the next few months. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Only half of Northamptonshire GP appointments held in person in June 2021, data reveals

Only half of Northamptonshire GP appointments held in person in June 2021, data reveals Only half of GP appointments in Northamptonshire were held face-to-face after major steps to ease coronavirus restrictions went ahead, figures reveal. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

NHS performance summary: June-July 2021

NHS performance summary: June-July 2021 NHS England published the latest data on key activity and performance measures for June and July of this year. Here we show some of these statistics and how they compare with previous trends. Nuffield Trust

See also: 

• Figures highlight difficult juggling act facing the NHS as COVID cases remain high The Health Foundation
• The waiting list stands at 5.4 million The King's Fund
• Covid and backlog pressure on NHS causing alarming situation in emergency care Nuffield Trust

What has the Covid-19 pandemic taught us about public health messaging?

What has the Covid-19 pandemic taught us about public health messaging? I joined The King’s Fund in 2020, coming from an academic background in a university department where I worked on research about how to encourage people to adopt healthy behaviours. With the Covid-19 pandemic in full swing, I saw several familiar faces from academia appearing in national media sharing and explaining public health messages. Academic researchers are rarely so visible, but during the pandemic they were in demand as the public face of the race to minimise the impact of Covid 19.

It made me wonder how academic health researchers could have more direct influence on public health in future. The King's Fund 

Seven in ten young people aged 18 to 29 vaccinated with a first dose

Seven in ten young people aged 18 to 29 vaccinated with a first dose Over 70% of young people aged 18 to 29 in England have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the latest figures show, providing vital protection against infection and serious illness from the virus. Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• Official Statistics: National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports: 2021 to 2022 season Public Health England

Huge gulf in hospitals' ability to contain Covid

Huge gulf in hospitals' ability to contain Covid A major analysis of the spread of Covid within hospitals has shown a massive gulf in ability to contain the virus during the first wave.

Overall, more than one in 10 people in hospital with Covid actually caught the virus while they were there.

But the analysis of 314 UK hospitals showed that ranged from just one in 100 cases caught in hospital, to more than one in four. BBC News

See also: 

• Hospital-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection in the UK's first COVID-19 pandemic wave (open access) The Lancet
• Covid booster: US approves third jab for the immunocompromised BBC News
• Moderna's Covid vaccine DOES protect against Indian 'Delta' variant The Daily Mail
• Britain's daily Covid cases jump by 10% in a week to 33,074 The Daily Mail
• Britons should get a different Covid vaccine as their booster, SAGE adviser says The Daily Mail
• One in 10 UK patients caught Covid in hospital in first wave, finds study The Guardian
• Covid to ‘rip’ through schools unless safety measures brought in immediately, ministers warned The Independent

Diabetes ‘wakeup call’ as 1,500 children in England have type 2

Diabetes ‘wakeup call’ as 1,500 children in England have type 2 Charity says government must do more to tackle childhood obesity with one in three now overweight

Hundreds of children and teenagers in England have type 2 diabetes, data shows, with charities describing the findings as a “worrying wakeup call” and urging that childhood obesity be tackled.

Type 2 diabetes is historically only seen in people over the age of 40, but data for 2019-20 revealed that the condition now affects 1,560 people aged 18 or under. The Guardian 

Sajid Javid warns NHS waiting list will keep rising after hitting a record 5.45MILLION last month

Sajid Javid warns NHS waiting list will keep rising after hitting a record 5.45MILLION last month England's record-high NHS waiting list will only continue to rise in the wake of the Covid crisis, the Health Secretary warned today.

Sajid Javid said at least 7million people who 'ordinarily would have come forward' for medical treatment stayed away during the pandemic.

Health chiefs now want those patients to 'come back' but accept it will cause a huge increase in demand that will cause waiting lists to rise. The Daily Mail

 

See also:

• Sajid Javid says NHS waiting lists will rise BBC News

Record 1 million 999 calls made to NHS in July

Record 1 million 999 calls made to NHS in July More than a million 999 calls were made to ambulance services in July – the highest number ever recorded – as the NHS battles a summer crisis in patient demand.

The latest data shows major A&E departments saw their second-highest ever numbers of patients in July, while paramedics were sent out to 82,000 emergencies last month, 8,000 more than the record set in June. The Independent 

After the dust settles: some overlooked and underappreciated aspects of the NHS pay settlement

After the dust settles: some overlooked and underappreciated aspects of the NHS pay settlement The recent NHS pay settlement in England alluded to the importance of recognising the extraordinary efforts of health service staff during the Covid-19 crisis. But how well does the settlement actually reflect the pandemic? Billy Palmer takes a closer look at what was agreed, what it might mean for staff pay packets in the NHS, and how it might affect pay inequalities. Nuffield Trust 

Covid-19 Loneliness Fund: a process evaluation

Covid-19 Loneliness Fund: a process evaluation The £5m Loneliness Covid-19 Fund was launched in May 2020 to support nine national organisations working to tackle loneliness and build social connections to help them to continue and adapt their critical work during the pandemic. The National Centre for Social Research was appointed as evaluator for this fund. This report presents the results of a process evaluation of the fund, to see how it supported the delivery and adaption of services aimed at addressing loneliness during Covid-19 restrictions. Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

Wider impacts of Covid-19 on physical activity, deconditioning and falls in older adults

Wider impacts of Covid-19 on physical activity, deconditioning and falls in older adults This report looks at how the wider impacts of Covid-19 have affected older people (65 years and over), with a focus upon deconditioning and falls. Estimates of these impacts on physical activity levels and rates of falls in older people are provided. The report also summarises recommendations aimed at mitigating these impacts and to improve older adult mental and physical health. The technical appendix provides detailed information on the methods that have been used in the study. Public Health England 

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Self-isolation removed for double jabbed close contacts from 16 August

Self-isolation removed for double jabbed close contacts from 16 August Adults and children will be free to return to work, attend school, and meet friends and family as the protection from vaccines replaces the need for contact isolation from Monday. Department of Health and Social Care 

See also:

• COVID-19 study finds lower prevalence in schools Public Health England

Covid vaccine: Fertility and miscarriage claims fact-checked

Covid vaccine: Fertility and miscarriage claims fact-checked False and misleading claims that Covid-19 vaccines harm fertility and cause miscarriages are still circulating online, against all the evidence.

Doctors are extremely cautious about what they recommend during pregnancy, so the original advice was to avoid the jab.

But now, so much safety data has become available that this advice has changed and the vaccine is now actively encouraged (as getting Covid itself can put a pregnancy at risk).

We have looked at some of the more persistent claims - and why they are wrong. BBC News

See also:

• Using lockdowns to control spread of Covid in future won't be justified, SAGE adviser says The Daily Mail
• Nearly 90% of cancer patients had high antibody levels 4 months after getting second vaccine dose The Daily Mail
• Only most vulnerable may need Covid booster jab in UK, expert says The Guardian
• UK orders extra Covid vaccines for autumn 2022 booster campaign The Guardian
• No cases of vaccine-induced clotting reported in last month, experts say The Independent

Almost 1.2m people waiting at least six months for vital NHS services in England

Almost 1.2m people waiting at least six months for vital NHS services in England Almost 1.2 million people in England are waiting more than six months for essential NHS services such as brain surgery and eye treatment because of the Covid backlog, analysis shows.

The May 2021 figure is almost five times that recorded in the same period in 2019 , before the pandemic hit, and also includes patients requiring gynaecological services. The Guardian

See also:

• Life waiting for vital NHS treatment: ‘The pain and anguish are too much’ The Guardian
• NHS summer crisis: Hospitals declare ‘black alerts’ as more operations are cancelled The Independent

Breast cancer drug approved for NHS after maker agrees discount

Breast cancer drug approved for NHS after maker agrees discount Reversal of earlier rejection by Nice of abemaciclib – known as Verzenios – is welcomed by campaigners

A breast cancer drug that was rejected for routine NHS use in England earlier this year has now been recommended by health officials after a discount was agreed with the manufacturer. The Guardian

NHS blood tests hit by disruption in tube supply chain expected to last for weeks

NHS blood tests hit by disruption in tube supply chain expected to last for weeks NHS patients could be affected by disruption in the global supply chain of tubes used in blood tests as doctors have been told to limit the number of tests they can carry out, it has emerged.

New guidance from NHS England has been issued amid a global shortage of blood tube products, although the health service has insisted that all clinically necessary blood tests will go ahead. The Independent 

See also:

• Becton Dickinson Blood Specimen Collection Portfolio supply disruption NHS England

Abuse of disabled patients forces watchdog to close hospital

Abuse of disabled patients forces watchdog to close hospital A mental health hospital has been closed by the care watchdog after inspectors saw evidence of patients being abused.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has forced the closure of Eldertree Lodge, in Staffordshire, which looked after more than 40 adults with learning disabilities and autism. The Independent

Man convicted for calling NHS 111 more than a thousand times 'for his own enjoyment'

Man convicted for calling NHS 111 more than a thousand times 'for his own enjoyment' A Worthing man has pleaded guilty to making more than a thousand nuisance calls to an NHS advice line for his own 'enjoyment and personal benefit', costing the taxpayer more that £20,000. ITV News